(By a leading political analyst.) The visit of President Bashar al-Assad to Moscow is a startling consequence of the Russian military victory in Georgia. He stated on his arrival: ‘We are ready to co-operate with Russia in any project that can strengthen its security’. He added that Russia needs to think of a response to the fact that it is being encircled by hostile nations. He made clear that he would be discussing the stationing of Russian missiles on his territory. The Syrians are also shopping for weapons.
Syria is also expected to welcome back the Russian navy to Tartus, a base Russia lost with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. We are back again to the times when Syria was very close politically and militarily to Moscow.
Syria is at present negotiating with Lebanon to...